Intellectual Freedom Committee

Charge

To ensure academic and research library engagement with the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom and the ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee; to advise ACRL on matters relating to intellectual freedom, including matters pertaining to the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the ALA Library Bill of Rights and their implication for academic library collections, services, and programs; to prepare and gather materials which will advise the academic librarian of available services and support both in formulating policies of intellectual freedom and for resisting any pressure or action designed to impair the rights of users.

Composition

A minimum of five members (i.e. a chair, vice-chair, and three members)

Chair will serve as ex-officio member for the ALA Freedom to Read Foundation and will represent ACRL interests in the foundation.

Additional appointments at the discretion of the Vice-President/President-Elect and Appointments Committee

Origin

The Intellectual Freedom Task Force was established in 1992 at the ALA Annual Conference. In 1994, the task fore was made permanent as a standing committee. In 2005, the committee was included as a component committee of the Advocacy Coordinating Committee. In 2009, it was redefined by the ACRL Board as a stand-alone divisional committee when the coordinating committee was reclassified as a standard committee, with no coordinating committee umbrella structure.

Staff Liaison

David Free
Editor-in-Chief of College and Research Libraries News/Marketing and Communications
Association of College & Research Libraries
American Library Association
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-2788
Work: 312-280-2517
E-mail: dfree@ala.org